Fantasy football poker

ABSTRACT

A game for a set of participants has a deck with cards of n suits, each uniquely identified according to a player position in a team sport. There are m cards within each suit, each of the m cards assigned to one of a set of m sports teams, and assigned to a sports player selected from the sports team who has the player position corresponding to the suit. For each suit, there is one card in the deck associated with each of the m sports teams within the suit. The deck has at least n times m cards. The card for each sports player has a point value according to sports game statistics during a specified time period. The value of the cards of a participant is determined according to both the combination of sports teams in the hand and the point values for one or more cards.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to card games and moreparticularly relates to a version of poker played in a fantasy sportscontext.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fantasy Football and similar sports-related games have enjoyedconsiderable enthusiasm from sports enthusiasts. Participants in FantasyFootball draft their own teams from the pool of a past or present NFL(National Football League) sports players and compete against each otherusing results of simulated games based on actual week-to-weekperformance statistics for those players. Within a relatively shorttime, Fantasy Football has grown from a “seasonal” activity playedduring the professional football season to a year-round activity, with ahost of available on-line servers that administer participant leagues,such as Xpert Sports at internet site address www.xpertsports.com forexample. A good general introduction to how this game is played can befound, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,603 entitled “ComputerizedStatistical Football Game” to Hughes et al.

The card game of poker has been a long-time favorite, particularly inthe U.S. The game of poker combines various elements that make itparticularly compelling, including chance and skill, and requiringintuition, wagering, nerves, and calculation from its participants.There are many variations of poker, with a more or less standard core ofrules for values of card combinations and play. Traditionally playedaround a table, poker is more recently accessible on-line, as evidencedby numerous sites such as those listed and advertised on the internetsite online-poker-rules.net.

It can be readily recognized that Fantasy Football and poker are eachgames that have particularly compelling aspects that add to aparticipant's enjoyment. A game that can combine aspects of FantasyFootball with poker would have special recreational appeal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a game for a set ofparticipants comprising:

-   -   a deck comprising a plurality of cards of a number n suits,        wherein each suit is uniquely identified according to a player        position in a team sport;    -   wherein there are another number m cards within each suit,    -   wherein each of the m cards within each suit is assigned to one        of a set of m sports teams, and assigned to a sports player        selected from the sports team who has the player position        corresponding to the suit,    -   such that, for each suit, there is one card in the deck        associated with each of the m sports teams within the suit,    -   the deck comprising at least the product n times m cards        thereby,    -   wherein the card corresponding to each sports player is assigned        a point value according to sports game statistics for said        sports player during a specified time period;    -   and wherein the value of the set of cards of a participant is        determined according to both:    -   (i) the combination of sports teams for cards in the hand of the        participant; and,    -   (ii) the point values for one or more cards in the hand of the        participant.

From another aspect, the present invention provides a game for a set ofparticipants comprising:

-   -   a) a deck comprising a plurality of cards of a number n suits,        wherein each suit is uniquely identified according to a player        position in a team sport;    -   wherein there are another number m cards within each suit,    -   wherein each of the m cards within each suit is assigned to one        of a set of m sports teams, and assigned to a sports player        selected from the sports team who has the player position        corresponding to the suit,    -   such that, for each suit, there is one card in the deck        associated with each of the m sports teams within the suit,    -   the deck comprising at least the product n times m cards        thereby;    -   b) a control logic processor for distributing cards from the        deck to each member of the set of participants according to a        poker hand distribution rule, such that each participant is        dealt a hand of cards,    -   wherein the control logic processor is in communication with a        database of sports game statistics for each of the sports        players corresponding to the n times m cards in the deck,        wherein the sports game statistics are based on sports player        performance within a specified time period,    -   the control logic processor assigning a point value to each card        dealt to a participant according to said sports game statistics;    -   wherein the control logic processor manages the game sequence        between participants according to predetermined rules and        computes results.

It is a feature of the present invention that it provides a game thatcombines the pastimes of card playing with sports fantasy gaming.

It is an advantage of the present invention that it allows eitheron-line or local play of a game for sports and poker enthusiasts.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon areading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunctionwith the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrativeembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, itis believed that the invention will be better understood from thefollowing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical network infrastructure forplaying Fantasy Football Poker over a computer network;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interface screen layout for game entry andsetup;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an interface screen layout for game play andsequencing; and,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an interface screen layout for viewinginformation on an individual game card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a card game employing poker rules andplay sequence, with cards arranged and assigned value based on FantasyFootball sports players. For the description of the game that follows,it is important to observe the following distinction in terminology:

“Player” or “sports player” refers to a NFL team player who is assignedto a card in the Fantasy Football card game. In a broader context, theterm “sports player” refers to a team sports player who plays a playerposition on an organized sports team, which could include other sports,such as baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer, for example.

“Participant” refers to a person who is playing the Fantasy Footballpoker game.

“Dealer” refers to the agent that distributes cards as needed to supportgame play. Where this game is played on printed cards, the dealerfunction could be performed by one of the participants or by someone whois not currently playing. Where the game is played on-line at a computerterminal, the dealer function is performed by a computer or othercontrol logic processor of some kind, situated either locally or over anetwork. An appropriate card distribution rule, such as a poker handdistribution rule in the embodiments described in detail subsequently,is followed by the dealer, based on the version of the game that isplayed.

The term “season” has its conventional meaning for a sports season,usually a period of consecutive months during which games are played,followed by an “off-season” period.

In the context of game play, the terms “deck”, “cards”, “suit”, and“hand” have the conventional meanings familiar to anyone who has playedcards. Where this game is played with actual printed cards, theconventional meanings of these terms apply. Where this game is playedon-line, such as using the display monitor and keyboard, mouse, or otherpointing/selection device of a personal computer, a “card” is, ofcourse, available as a displayed screen representation, or a “virtual”card. A “deck” would be a virtual deck, such that there is a fixednumber of cards available for use in the game, organized according torules such as those described herein. Of course, when played on acomputer terminal, only those cards from the deck that are in theparticipant's hand need be displayed. Again, with its conventionalmeaning, the term “hand” refers to the subset of cards held by, or intemporary possession of, a participant during the game. Of course, a“hand” can also refer generally to a “round” or portion of game play, asthe term is conventionally used among card players.

Infrastructure

In one embodiment, Fantasy Football poker is played online, allowing aset of participants of a Fantasy Football league or sports enthusiastsin general to play this game remotely. In order to better understandon-line play, it is instructive to review the computer networkinfrastructure that can be used for Fantasy Football as well as forFantasy Football poker. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a computernetwork 10 for Fantasy Football and associated games. A workstation 12is configured as a networked server 14, a control logic processorexecuting the game software and interacting with each of a number ofparticipants at their networked computers 20. To manage play of thegame, server 14 accesses a database 18 that provides performancestatistics for numerous sports players. These statistics are maintainedfor current games and may include results from previous week's games,including game statistics from previous seasons' play.

Among its functions, networked server 14 executes administrativesoftware to allow access and interaction with each participant and toenroll participants and maintain participant accounts and provide anecessary measure of security. In controlling play of the game itself,networked server 14 sets up sessions appropriately with eachparticipant, records and stores play instructions from each participant,executes the game sequence, informs each participant of cards in thatparticipant's hand and of the game play status, manages betting,provides scoring and results, and stores information about each gameplayed. Where there are fees requiring collection, server 14 supportsthis account management function.

It can be appreciated that the overall arrangement of FIG. 1 admits anumber of possible variations. For example, while the internet is usedas network 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a privately operated networkcould also be employed. Various security measures can be used forparticipant identification and access.

Rules

The basic set of rules parallels the rules of poker, adapted for play ina Fantasy Football context. A game is played with a limited number ofparticipants, normally more than two, but generally not more than abouteight participants.

A deck of cards is organized into a number n of suits. Within each suit,there is a fixed number m of cards, each card having an associatedsports player and sports team. In one embodiment, four suits of cardsare provided (n=4), each suit related to a player position. For example,in an embodiment with four suits, each of the following player positionsis a suit:

-   -   Quarterback (QB)    -   Running Back (RB)    -   Tight End (TE)    -   Wide Receiver (WR)

Obviously, other arrangements are possible, using other player positionsor allowing more than four suits, for example.

Within each suit, a number m of cards are arranged by sports team. Forexample, where m=16, the following teams could be represented:

-   -   1. Arizona    -   2. Atlanta    -   3. Carolina    -   4. Chicago    -   5. Dallas    -   6. Detroit    -   7. Green Bay    -   8. Minnesota    -   9. New Orleans    -   10. New York Giants    -   11. Philadelphia    -   12. San Francisco    -   13. St Louis    -   14. Seattle    -   15. Tampa Bay    -   16. Washington

Card values, such as numbers 1-16 in the example listing given above,are used as one factor for determining the total value of cards in aparticipant's hand. It must be emphasized that the card value could beother than a number. For example, alternative card values similar tothose used for conventional playing cards could be used, where valuesAce, King, Queen, Jack, and so on are designated. Some other indicatorsuch as color could alternately be used to provide a card value of thistype.

Various schemes for organization of the m cards within each suit may beappropriate, such as designation of teams in the deck by conference, forexample the American Football Conference (AFC) or National FootballConference (NFC) in the case of football. Each card then represents atop fantasy scorer on its respective team. For example, a sports playercard such as Aaron Brooks, QB NO (New Orleans) would be assigned a teamnumber of “9”. This number is used to build combinations of cards, suchas pairs and straights in poker, as described subsequently.

For example, the following are possible cards in the hand of oneparticipant, from five cards selected from the deck at random, listed inorder by card value; sports player name; suit:

-   -   4—Chicago; Rex Grossman; QB    -   5—Dallas; Julius Jones; RB    -   5—Dallas; Jason Whitten; TE    -   11—Philadelphia; Donovan McNabb; QB    -   14—Seattle; Shaun Alexander; RB

With this arrangement of cards, the deck thus has at least the product ntimes m cards, plus any additional cards, such as those used as wildcards, for example, depending on the version of the game that is played.

The card value assigned to each card, based on the team identificationas noted above (number 1-16 in this example embodiment), is used forobtaining combinations within the poker hand, as described subsequently.No hierarchy of values or ranking is necessarily implied by thisnumbering system. Thus, cards with a card value of 1 do not need to havean inherently higher or lower rank than cards numbered 2, 3, 4, etc. Animportant distinction can be made: in conventional poker, a hierarchy ofsports player card values is used to determine who wins a hand when noparticipant has a pair or other combination of greater value; thishierarchy, however, is not needed within Fantasy Football poker.

Point Values Assigned to Cards

For each game of Fantasy Football poker, each of the m cards in eachsuit is assigned a variable point value, based on the performance of theidentified sports player for the previous week's play, or for someearlier week's play. In this way, the point value assigned to 11Philadelphia Donovan McNabb QB, for example, can vary depending on howwell he performed during the past week.

A number of alternative point value schemes may be employed for a gameof Fantasy Football poker. As just one example, a fantasy point (FP)value is assigned to each sports player of each suit, based on aparticular week of play, as follows:

-   -   6 points per rushing or receiving TD.    -   4 points per passing TD.    -   2 points for every 2-point conversion.    -   1 point for every 10 yards rushing or receiving.    -   1 point for every 25 yards passing.    -   −1 point for every fumble.

The fantasy points for the group of sports players in a hand are thensummed to provide a total point value for the hand held by theparticipant. It can be seen that, using this scheme, the same hand offive cards can have a different total point value from one week to thenext.

Given this schema, each playing card, then is assigned both of thefollowing:

(i) a card value, used for making combinations within the hand held bythe participant; and,

(ii) a point value for the corresponding sports player listed on theplaying card, the point value variable according to the particular week,or other time period, of play during one or more seasons.

In whatever type of card game is played using these cards, scoring for aparticipant's hand is based on both of the values assigned in (i) and(ii) above. For one embodiment, the game of poker is played, asdescribed subsequently.

Values of Poker Combinations

To compute a participant's poker score for any hand of cards, the totalaccumulated point value for that participant's hand can be furthermultiplied by an odds factor. The odds factor is determined by the pokercombination in the participant's hand. For example, the followingcombinations are assigned the indicated odds factors:

-   -   Royal Flush. A royal flush is the highest possible hand, with        all five cards of the same suit and in sequence, for example 12,        13, 14, 15, 16 all of RB. Odds factor: 649,739    -   Straight Flush. A straight flush has all five cards of the same        suit and in sequence. For example: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 all of QB. Odds        factor: 64,973.    -   Four of a Kind. Four cards having the same number. These        correspond to sports players on the same team. For example:        4-4-4-4, 12-12-12-12. Odds factor: 4,164.    -   Full House. Three cards of one number, three of another. For        example: 4-4-4 and 12-12. Odds factor: 693.    -   Flush. Five cards in the same suit, but not in sequence. For        example: 1, 4, 7, 11, 12 of TE. Odds factor: 508.    -   Straight. Five cards in sequence, not all of the same suit. For        example: 4-5-6-7-8, 9-10-11-12-13 Odds factor: 254.    -   Three of a Kind. For example 3-3-3, 5-5-5, 11-11-11. Odds        factor: 46.    -   Two Pairs. For example: 3-3, 8-8. Odds factor: 20.    -   One Pair. For example: 13-13. Odds factor: 1.25.

To compute the score for a hand, then, requires two steps:

1. Determine the total point value for the hand.

2. Multiply the point value times any odds factor that might apply.

The odds factor is generally based on the likelihood of each of thevarious poker card combinations, using the card value describedhereinabove. While it may be based on a statistical probability formulaof some kind, there is no requirement that a strict computation orformula be needed to derive an odds factor. In one embodiment, the oddsfactor is set at a level that would make it difficult for a hand of veryhigh total points value (from sports player fantasy points as outlinedabove) with a low odds factor to beat a hand with relatively low totalpoints value but with a higher odds factor. For example, in conventionalpoker, the three of a kind combination beats two pairs. However, usingthe computation described above, it could be possible, depending ontotal fantasy points assigned to the sports players in a hand, for oneparticipant's hand with two pairs to have a higher score than the handof another participant with three of a kind. This can be prevented byadjusting the odds factor appropriately. Conversely, this possibilitymay enhance enjoyment of the game, arguing for reduction of the oddsfactor for one or more combinations of cards. An odds factor of 1 couldbe used as the default. Participants may be given the option to agree toa set of odds factors beforehand.

Setup and Play

In one embodiment, Fantasy Football Poker is played on-line, with eachgame organized about a virtual table. To enroll in a game, a potentialparticipant first logs on to a web site and is presented with the optionto join in one or more games. The example of FIG. 2 shows an entrywindow 30 that can be displayed to a potential game participant. Atables listing section 32 identifies tables that are currentlyavailable. Typical information in tables listing section 32 includestable name, number of total seats, and number of open seats. To enrollin a game, a potential participant may click on an entry icon ordouble-click on the listing for that game. A participant may also entera command that generates a new table. A participant listing section 34lists names of participants who are currently online, this list could beused to detect which participants are not currently playing a game todecide whom to send an invitation to. Participants who receive aninvitation could either accept it, and join the table that the inviterset up, or decline it. Options for the particular game may also belisted, such as ante, poker game type, minimum bet values, league usedfor the deck (such as NFC, AFC, or all).

The example window of FIG. 2 also shows a number of other possibleutilities that can be made available on entry window 30 for theconvenience of participants. An optional chat message section 36 mayprovide a listing of comments received from participants. A chat entrysection 38 would enable the participant to enter an appropriate chatmessage to other participants. Optionally, a participant may also beable to contact another participant individually, such as bydouble-clicking on that participant's name in participant listingsection 34, for example.

A number of display windows or screens can be provided to support playonce the game is initiated. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a tabledisplay window 40 that can show game progress and results for eachparticipant. A table graphic 42 shows a participant symbol or icon 44representing each participant in the game. Various information on tabledisplay window 40 indicates game type, identifies weekly statistics andseason, name assigned to a table, values of current pot, etc. A dealericon 46 represents the position and status of the virtual dealer indealing out electronic cards according to the rules for the type ofpoker that is being played. Card icons 48 indicate the number of cardsdealt to each participant.

Table display window 40 can also display other information useful tosupport game play. For example, various points listing sections 52 canbe provided, to list fantasy points for all sports players in the deckand for sports players in the hand of the viewing participant, forexample. In one embodiment, cards in the hand of the participant aredisplayed in a highlighted form (such as using bold text or highlightedtext, for example) in points listing section 52.

An optional chat message section (not shown in FIG. 3) can also beavailable for recording comments from one or more individualparticipants. Icons, highlighting, or other graphic effects indicatewhich of the participants has the current turn. Card icons 54 can bedisplayed for the participant's hand. An arrow or other graphic symbolor treatment can be used to indicate the current actor whose turn it is.

During play, the controlling networked server 14 (FIG. 1) provides onlythe information that would be available to each participant during acard game. That is, each participant has a hand of cards that is visibleonly to that participant as card icons 54; the cards of otherparticipants are not visible to each other.

The participant can also view information provided about a playing card.For example, by double-clicking on a sports player in one of pointslisting windows 52 of FIG. 3, the sports player card window 60 of FIG. 4can be displayed. A card icon 62 shows various details about the sportsplayer, such as the team number, player position (suit), and sportsplayer name. Sports player card window 60 can also provide a sportsplayer information section 64 and a sports player statistics section 66.These sections can give more detailed information on recent performanceas well as links to other sites for the individual sports player orteam. Interface traversal icons 68 are provided, allowing the viewingparticipant to return to table display window 40 or move through thecards in the deck or in the participant's own hand.

It can be readily appreciated that the windows shown in FIG. 2, 3, and 4are exemplary only and allow a number of variations, improvements, andoptions to suit the requirements of the Fantasy Football Poker game. Forexample, sports player card window 60 may display as if overlaid on topof table display window 40, allowing one or more sports player cardwindows 60 to be displayed or “tucked away” on the interface screen asneeded. Conventional operator interface tools can be used to movebetween the various types of display windows or to enter chat text. Forexample, double-clicking on card icon 54 in table display window 40(FIG. 3) could cause the corresponding sports player card window 60 tobe presented.

EXAMPLE

An example of game play could occur with the following order of events:

1. A participant X signs in to the site.

2. Participant X clicks on an icon that allows him to set up his own“table”.

3. Participant X enters parameters related to the nature of the game hewants played at this table. In this example, he enters “NFC” conference,$1 minimum bet, 5 seats, 2004 sports players and stats, and“Performance” Scoring. In one embodiment, performance scoring is equalto 1 point per 10 yards rushing or receiving, 6 points for rushing orreceiving touchdown (TD), 1 point per 25 yards passing, 4 points forpassing TD, −2 points for Interception.

4. Participant X uses the main chat window to let people know that he islooking for other participants to join the table that has just been setup.

5. A participant Y clicks on an open seat icon from within the tablelist, and is seated at the table.

6. A participant Z enters the room from the table list, and then clickson a seat icon at the table, and is seated.

7. Each participant unclicks a checkbox labeled “I will sit out the nexthand”.

8. A new hand begins with the display of the randomly chosen week, Week3.

9. An ante of $1 is automatically withdrawn from each participant'spurse and enters the pot in the middle of the table.

10. In accordance with a poker hand distribution rule, five cards aredealt to X, Y, and Z starting with X and moving clockwise (see FIG. 3).

11. Each participant sees the value of his or her respective cards butall other dealt cards appear face down.

12. At the end of the dealing, the cards held by each participant are asfollows:

a. Participant X:

-   -   Sports player: Aaron Brooks. Suit: QB. Card value: 9 (Team: New        Orleans Saints).    -   Sports player: Brian Westbrook. Suit: RB. Card value: 11 (Team:        Philadelphia Eagles).    -   Sports player: Peerless Price. Suit: WR. Card value: 2 (Team:        Atlanta Falcons).    -   Sports player: Darrel Jackson. Suit: WR. Card value: 14 (Team:        Seattle Seahawks).    -   Sports player: Eric Johnson. Suit: TE. Card value: 12 (Team: San        Francisco 49ers).

b. Participant Y:

-   -   Sports player: Amani Toomer. Suit: WR. Card value: 10 (Team: New        York Giants).    -   Sports player: Tiki Barber. Suit: RB. Card value: 10 (Team: New        York Giants).    -   Sports player: Michael Pittman. Suit: RB. Card value: 15 (Team:        Tampa Bay Buccaneers).    -   Sports player: Jason Witten. Suit: TE. Card value: 5 (Dallas        Cowboys).    -   Sports player: Jake Delhomme. Suit: QB. Card value: 3 (Carolina        Panthers).

c. Participant Z:

-   -   Sports player: Randy Moss. Suit: WR. Card value: 8 (Team:        Minnesota Vikings).    -   Sports player: Mark Brunell. Suit: QB. Card value: 16 (Team:        Washington Redskins).    -   Sports player: Brett Favre. Suit: QB. Card value: 7 (Team: Green        Bay Packers).    -   Sports player: Joey Harrington. Suit: QB. Card value: 6 (Team:        Detroit Lions).    -   Sports player: Keyshawn Johnson. Suit: WR. Card value: 5        (Team:Dallas Cowboys).

13. Participant X has the option to bet, and does not by clicking theappropriate button.

14. Participant Y has the option to bet, and enters the amount of 1.00and clicks the Bet icon.

15. Participant Z has the option to raise, call, or fold and chooses tocall by clicking the appropriate button.

16. Participant X leaves the betting for this hand by clicking the Foldbutton.

17. Now each participant is prompted with the option to return up to 5of their current cards for new ones. Action proceeds as follows:

-   -   Participant Y returns Michael Pittman and Jason Witten.    -   Participant Y receives Marc Bulger. Suit: QB. Card value: 13        (Team: St. Louis Rams).    -   Participant Y receives L. J. Smith. Suit: TE. Card value: 11        (Team: Philadelphia Eagles).    -   Participant Z returns Keyshawn Johnson and Randy Moss.    -   Participant Z receives Donovan McNabb. Suit: QB. Card value: 11        (Team: Philadelphia Eagles).    -   Participant Z receives Boo Williams. Suit: TE. Card value: 9        (Team: New Orleans Saints).

18. Now the cards held by each participant are as follows:

a. Participant Y:

-   -   Sports player: Amani Toomer. Suit: WR. Card value: 10 (Team: New        York Giants).    -   Sports player: Tiki Barber. Suit: RB. Card value: 10 (Team: New        York Giants).    -   Sports player: Jake Delhomme. Suit: QB. Card value: 3 (Carolina        Panthers).    -   Sports player: Marc Bulger. Suit: QB. Card value: 13 (Team: St.        Louis Rams).    -   Sports player: L. J. Smith. Suit: TE. Card value: 11 (Team:        Philadelphia Eagles).

b. Participant Z:

-   -   Sports player: Mark Brunell. Suit: QB. Card value: 16 (Team:        Washington Redskins).    -   Sports player: Brett Favre. Suit: QB. Card value: 7 (Team: Green        Bay Packers).    -   Sports player: Joey Harrington. Suit: QB. Card value: 6 (Team:        Detroit Lions).    -   Sports player: Donovan McNabb. Suit: QB. Card value: 11 (Team:        Philadelphia Eagles).    -   Sports player: Boo Williams. Suit: TE. Card value: 9 (Team: New        Orleans Saints).

19. Betting resumes with Participant Y, who clicks enters $0.25 andclicks the Bet button.

20. Participant Z enters $1.00 and clicks the Raise button.

21. Participant Y clicks the Call button, and betting for this hand hasended.

22. The cards and point total for each hand is revealed.

23. Points are totaled as follows:

a. Participant Y

-   -   Sports player: Amani Toomer. Suit: WR. Card value: 10. Week 3        stats: 126 yards receiving. Point total: 12.    -   Sports player: Tiki Barber. Suit: RB. Card value: 10. Week 3        stats: 106 yards rushing. 48 yards receiving. 1 rushing TD.        Point total: 20.    -   Sports player: Jake Delhomme. Suit: QB. Card value: 3. Week 3        stats: 308 yards passing. 2 interceptions. 13 yards rushing.        Point total: 9.    -   Sports player: Marc Bulger. Suit: QB. Card value: 13. Week 3        stats: 358 yards passing. 1 passing TD. 18 yards rushing. 1        rushing TD. Point total: 23.    -   Sports player: L. J. Smith. Suit: TE. Card value: 11. Week 3        stats: 74 yards receiving. Point total: 7.

Total points: 71. Multiplier based on pair of 10s: 1.25. Adjusted totalpoints: 88.75.

b. Participant Z:

-   -   Sports player: Mark Brunell. Suit: QB. Card value: 16. Week 3        stats: 325 yards passing. 2 passing TDs. Point total: 21.    -   Sports player: Brett Favre. Suit: QB. Card value: 7. Week 3        stats: 360 yards passing. 4 passing TDs. Point total: 30.    -   Sports player: Joey Harrington. Suit: QB. Card value: 6. Week 3        stats: 199 yards passing. 2 passing TDs. 10 yards rushing. Point        total: 14.    -   Sports player: Donovan McNabb. Suit: QB. Card value: 11 (Team:        Philadelphia Eagles). Week 3 stats: 356 yards passing. 2 passing        TDs. −2 yards rushing. 1 rushing TD. Point total: 26.    -   Sports player: Boo Williams. Suit: TE. Card value: 9 (Team: New        Orleans Saints). Week 3 stats: 41 yards receiving. Point total:        4.

Total points: 95.

24. Participant Z wins a pot of $7 with 95 total points, beating a handwith 88.75 total points.

Variations

Fantasy Football Poker can be played during the regular football season,using current or upcoming weekly game statistics, as well as year-round,using results from some previous week's play, including play fromprevious seasons. For play using other season statistics, a randomizercan be used to select a previous weeks' sports player statistics. Aseason (year) is selected, either at random or by the participants. Theweek of the selected season may be chosen at random. Statistics for thatweek could then be made available to the participants, who would then beable to determine the relative values of various cards for thatparticular week. A team on bye during the specified week could havetheir cards removed from the deck for that hand, for example.

While Fantasy Football Poker is particularly well-suited to on-line playwith a networked server as the control logic processor, this game couldalternately be played using printed playing cards, preferably with sometype of computational assistance for providing statistics, assigningpoint values, and generating scores. For example, cards for a particularseason could be provided on some substrate in printed form, with adatabase of statistics for that season and algorithms for computing andmaintaining scores provided on a removable storage medium, such as adiskette or CD, or could be made available to a networked computer thatis operated as the control logic processor by one or more of theparticipants during the game. A hand-held game play device could also beprovided as a type of control logic processor for controlling the gameplay sequence and/or for maintaining statistics, computing results, andkeeping score, for example. Where a control logic processor is used,this apparatus is in communication with a database of sports statistics,used to generate point values for each card.

In alternate embodiments, a control logic processor would not be neededfor game play. Cards could be pre-printed on paper for a specific week,with player statistics and point values on each card so thatparticipants themselves need not have access to a computer or to asports statistics database in order to play. Cards for a specified timeperiod could be printed out as needed, including printing onto paper orother suitable substrate at the game site itself or at some otherlocation, for example.

Wagering

Fantasy Football Poker could be used for wagering in any of a number ofways. A minimum ante could be required or an account established foreach participant before the game, from which the participant could drawchips, add more funds or extract winnings.

Subscription

Participants may be presented with various options for subscribing toFantasy Football Poker games and for payment. For example, subscribingmembers to an existing Fantasy Football league may be given free accessto one or more games, such as monthly. Subscribers may have some type ofallowance or credit account usable for game participation.

As is well known, there are numerous versions of poker and related typesof card games, characterized by some form of betting, by a sequence thatincludes discarding of one or more cards in exchange for alternate cardswith the hope of obtaining improved combinations, and by playingmultiple hands as part of a game. While the above description focuses ongame play for types of poker, the present invention can be readilyadapted to any number of game types. Aspects of play such as type ofgame, card distribution rules, game play sequence, betting, and otherparameters can vary according to factors such as the interest of theparticipants and the advantages to the provider of the game. The presentinvention may be used to play any of a number of different types ofpoker. Additionally, the structure provided by the present inventioncould be used to play other types of card games, such as rummy, euchre,etc., with corresponding changes to rules. Cards in addition to the mtimes n cards could be used, including wild cards, for example,depending on the type of card game that is played. For any type of gameplayed, the total value of a hand of cards for each participant could bebased on some combination of card values that are based on playerposition (suit) and team, and point values that are based on playerperformance over a specified time period.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the scope of theinvention as described above, and as noted in the appended claims, by aperson of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For example, a team could be excluded from the deckduring a bye week. Participants may be given the option to select from arange of values for odds factors and other values.

The game can be played using sports team and sports player statisticsfor any number of sports, including both professional andnon-professional games, such as college games, for example. Whenon-line, games could be accompanied by a range of display and animationfeatures to enhance the playing experience. Time limits could be imposedto speed the game along or to deter cheating or sharing of informationbetween participants during game play. Particularly where wagering isinvolved, statistics and play patterns could be maintained on variousparticipants, such as to forestall combinations of two or moreparticipants who exhibit suspicious play patterns or to alert potentialparticipants as to another participant's win/loss record. Betting limitscould be imposed as a safeguard against possible high losses ormanipulation.

Some type of database is needed in order to assign values to cards inthe deck. For on-line play, the same database used to store sports gamestatistics for each of the sports players for Fantasy Football orsimilar fantasy sports games could serve as the database needed for thefantasy sports game of the present invention. Where this game is playedapart from Fantasy Football network access, any number of conventionalstorage devices or apparatus could be used to maintain a databasesufficient for game play.

Thus, what is provided is an apparatus and method for playing poker orother card games in a fantasy sports context.

PARTS LIST

-   10. Network-   12. Workstation-   14. Server-   18. Database-   20. Networked computer-   30. Entry window-   32. Tables listing section-   34. Participant listing section-   36. Chat message section-   38. Chat entry section-   40. Table display window-   42. Table graphic-   44. Participant icon-   46. Dealer icon-   48. Card icon-   52. Points listing section-   54. Card icons-   60. Sports player card window-   62. Card icon-   64. Sports player information section-   66. Sports player statistics section-   68. Traversal icon

1. A game for a set of participants comprising a deck comprising aplurality of cards of a number n suits, wherein each suit is uniquelyidentified according to a player position in a team sport; wherein thereare another number m cards within each suit, wherein each of the m cardswithin each suit is assigned to one of a set of m sports teams, andassigned to a sports player selected from the sports team who has theplayer position corresponding to the suit, such that, for each suit,there is one card in the deck associated with each of the m sports teamswithin the suit, the deck comprising at least the product n times mcards thereby, wherein the card corresponding to each sports player isassigned a point value according to sports game statistics for saidsports player during a specified time period; and wherein the value ofthe set of cards of a participant is determined according to both: (i)the combination of sports teams for cards in the hand of theparticipant; and, (ii) the point values for one or more cards in thehand of the participant.
 2. A game according to claim 1 wherein the deckcomprises printed cards.
 3. A game according to claim 1 wherein cardsfor at least one participant are displayed on a terminal.
 4. A gameaccording to claim 1 wherein a control logic processor deals the cardsaccording to a poker hand distribution rule.
 5. A game according toclaim 1 wherein the team sport is football.
 6. A game according to claim1 wherein the specified time period is a week chosen from a season.
 7. Agame for a set of participants comprising: a) a deck comprising aplurality of cards of a number n suits, wherein each suit is uniquelyidentified according to a player position in a team sport; wherein thereare another number m cards within each suit, wherein each of the m cardswithin each suit is assigned to one of a set of m sports teams, andassigned to a sports player selected from the sports team who has theplayer position corresponding to the suit, such that, for each suit,there is one card in the deck associated with each of the m sports teamswithin the suit, the deck comprising at least the product n times mcards thereby; b) a control logic processor for distributing cards fromthe deck to each member of the set of participants according to a pokerhand distribution rule, such that each participant is dealt a hand ofcards, wherein the control logic processor is in communication with adatabase of sports game statistics for each of the sports playerscorresponding to the n times m cards in the deck, wherein the sportsgame statistics are based on sports player performance within aspecified time period, the control logic processor assigning a pointvalue to each card dealt to a participant according to said sports gamestatistics; wherein the control logic processor manages the gamesequence between participants according to predetermined rules andcomputes results.
 8. The game of claim 7 wherein the deck furthercomprises wild cards.
 9. The game of claim 7 wherein the game is playedover a computer network.
 10. The game of claim 7 wherein the database isprovided on a removable data storage medium.
 11. The game of claim 7wherein the sports teams are football teams.
 12. The game of claim 7wherein the specified time period is a week during a sports season. 13.The game of claim 7 wherein the control logic processor is a hand-heldcomputing device.
 14. A method for providing a card game comprising: a)providing a deck comprising a plurality of cards of a number n suits,wherein each suit is uniquely identified according to a player positionin a team sport; wherein there are another number m cards within eachsuit, wherein each of the m cards within each suit is assigned to one ofa set of m sports teams, and assigned to a sports player selected fromthe sports team who has the player position corresponding to the suit,such that, for each suit, there is one card in the deck associated witheach of the m sports teams within the suit, the deck comprising at leastthe product n times m cards thereby; b) dealing cards from the deck toeach of a set of card game participants according to a poker handdistribution rule, such that each participant is dealt a hand of cards;c) assigning a point value to each card in the hand of cards dealt toeach participant according to sports performance statistics for thecorresponding sports player within a specified time period; d) managingplay from one participant to the next according to game rules; and, e)computing scores for one or more portions of the game.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the card game is played by the participant at acomputer terminal.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step ofproviding a deck comprises the step of printing onto a substrate. 17.The method of claim 14 wherein the step of computing scores comprisesmultiplying the total accumulated point value for a participant's handby an odds factor, wherein the odds factor is selected according to acombination of cards in that participant's hand.
 18. The method of claim14 wherein the team sport is football.
 19. The method of claim 14wherein the specified time period is a week chosen from a previousseason.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the odds factor is 1.